Liebster Award

Happy Day!!!  I was so excited to see that Misha Frander from Fran'tastic 2nd Grade, Michelle from Dabbling in Differentiation, and Reading Recipe Pal nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I saw this award on other blogs and was wondering if I would ever get nominated! And now 3 at once! Thank you, thank you!  You made my day! Below are my answers to the questions and then I will be happy to pass this award along.

1.  Why and how long ago did you start blogging? 
I started blogging in October of 2012.  I always loved reading other blogs out there and they inspired me to start my own.  I had thought about it for a while and never got around to it. Then we had 2 days off in October in a row because of a big storm so it was the perfect time to begin!

2.  What one word would sum up the heart of your blog and why?
Sharing!  I love to share and welcome any ideas.  It makes me feel so good when someone comments on a post that has helped them in the classroom.

3.  Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wish you knew before? 
That blogging takes a lot of time!!  I definitely need to work on scheduling posts so I get more out there.  It's crazy when I look at my blog sometimes and haven't posted in over a month or more!

4.  What is your favorite pastime other than blogging?
Relaxing on the beach and spending time with my family.

5.  How many hours a week do you dedicate to your blog?
Not as many as I should!  Probably about an hour or so. Spending more time on it will be my goal for the new year.  I feel like I get wrapped up in reading other bloggers posts instead of working on my own!

6.  What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?
I love getting new ideas for the classroom.  There are so many amazing ideas out there!  I especially love hands-on activities.

7.  Where does your blog inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from my classroom and those little first graders.  

8.  Which post (that you've written) are you most proud of? 
I enjoyed writing my post about my math task cards.  My students love these cards! I think it makes them feel very independent!  I worked hard on creating task cards that cover a variety of concepts.  I think they are a great review for the kids.

9. Is there any post you've been planning to do but have postponed to do for a while now? 
For a while I thought about doing "Technology Tuesdays" so each Tuesday I would post something new in the technology world.  However, I've only done one post so far, oops! but it was a pretty good one on BrainPop Jr.  Love that site!

10. What is your favorite aspect about blogging? 
My favorite is connecting with other teachers!  It's so nice to read about similar experiences in the classroom and to get to know other bloggers.

11. Which idea on my blog would you most likely try? 
I love Misha's classroom doorway valences and the curtain under her sink.  Such a good idea and so cute! And Michelle- your sight word folders look great! I will have to try these with my class!

Thanks again girls for nominating me!!! It's greatly appreciated! Now that you know a little more about me I would like to nominate the following blogs:

Shoelaces and Sugar Cookies

Countless Smart Cookies

Adventures in Teaching

Mrs. Renz' Classroom

Theresa's Teaching Tidbits

A New Box of Crayons

Classroom Confetti

The Lesson Chef

One Sassy Teacher

The Neat & Tidy Classroom

A Spoonful of Learning

Here are the rules for the nominees:

1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).

3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.

4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.

5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)

Thanks again!

November Currently

What a day!  We had to change the clocks back, so that means it's going to be dark at like 4:30...boo! The wind is howling and I am already seeing flurries! I am so not ready for the cold!  But I am excited to link up with Farley for this month's Currently!

Listening: It is nasty outside! It's like 36 degrees, the wind is howling, and there are flurries! New England weather is crazy! The leaves are everywhere, my husband is going to love that after he raked on Friday...oops!

Loving:  I just love spending time with my almost 14 month old! She is absolutely hilarious!  She has been walking for about a month now and she is just all over the place!  She especially loves opening all of my drawers and taking out all of my clothes! Looks like I need to get some more locks!

Thinking:  We had some friends over last night and I definitely need to clean the house, but I just can't find the motivation.  With the storm, it seems like a better day for a nap!

Wanting:  I would love to be one of those people that have their Christmas shopping done early.  Some of you right now probably are thinking it's already November this isn't early! For me it would be!  But no matter the year I always have last minute shopping!  

Needing:  We didn't get many trick or treaters, therefore our house is full of candy. So next year I am buying candy I don't like! :)

Reading: The Daily Five- I have read this a couple of times, but I always like a refresher! I still have about a Daily 3 in my classroom because I feel like there isn't enough time to fit it all in.  

Happy Sunday!  Have a great week!

Math Task Cards

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! It was quite busy!!! The weather was perfect yesterday so we took our little one (13 months) to pick out a pumpkin! Well... it was more like me taking lots of pictures while I sat her in the pumpkin patch or on top of pumpkins, but it was so fun!  And, we did come home with a pumpkin!

I just love Fall!  It's my 2nd favorite season after the summer of course! The trees are just so pretty with all of the different colored leaves! Plus, this weekend I also bought my daughter's Halloween costume! Squeak, squeak, yes she's going to be a little mouse! Eek!!!  It just looked so warm and cozy.  I can't wait to dress her up with all of her little friends!  

Soooo...after our fun day, it was time to get down to business. I'm excited to say that my new math task cards are complete! Yes, 124 of them with answer keys!!! 

Here are the topics covered:

Numbers & Operations (20 task cards) 
-Place Value (Tens & Ones)
-Addition/Subtraction
-Ordering and Comparing Numbers
-Solving Addition/Subtraction Word Problems
-Missing Addends
-Fact Families

Patterns (20 task cards) 
-Counting Up & Back
-Before & After
-Skip Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s
-Shape/Letter Patterns

Money (24 task cards) 
-Counting Coins (P,N,D,Q)
-Word Problems

Measurement & Data (20 task cards) 
-Telling Time to the Hour & Half-Hour
-Word Problems
-Comparing Times
-Reading Bar Graphs
-Comparing Lengths

Geometry (20 task cards) 
-Counting Number of Sides
-2-D & 3-D Shapes
-True/False
-Fractions 1/2, 1/4

Challenge Problems (20 task cards) 
-Time
-Money
-Word Problems
-Place Value
-Addition/Subtraction

You just have to print, cut, and laminate and they will be ready for many years to come! I know 124 is a lot to think about cutting out, but you could always just start out with one or two sets and do the other ones at another time!  Also, included is a color version and a black and white version in case you want to save on ink! 

I love these task cards because they are great for extra practice and review of math skills. You can use them during math centers, independent work time, RTI, and/or for your fast finishers. 

When creating this pack I had first grade in mind along with the Common Core Standards. However, these task cards would be great to challenge Kindergarten students and they are a good review for second grade. My students really love doing these.  Especially my fast finishers, they love to go over and grab a few cards to complete!  And of course they are loving the challenge cards!

I have included a variety of recording sheets.  The first one has individual blank cards where the students fill in the task card number and then answer the problem.  See below!

The next one is a recording sheet for all of the task cards in a specific set.  For example, if you want students to do all 24 money task cards then this recording sheet might be easier to use.  Again, there are options so it's what works best for you! 

I have included a free sampler for you, so you can learn more about my math task cards.  Just click on the link here or on the picture below to grab a copy.  You will find 4 Numbers & Operations cards, 4 Pattern cards, and 4 Measurement & Data cards.  A recording sheet is included too so students can record their answers for these 12 cards.  I hope you enjoy!!!

Happy Monday!!!

Fall Fun, a Freebie, and a Giveaway!

It sure felt like Fall today! It was 48 degrees when I woke up..brr! Well not really brr... but seeing it was 90 last weekend, it's quite the change!  I love fall though! Apple picking and pumpkin picking are always so much fun and I love bundling up in jeans, boots, and scarves! But I wish it would stay like this though, the winter is just another story!  

Anyways, I'm excited for Fall and to share some of my new morning work packets, observation booklets, a FREEBIE and a chance to win a TpT gift certificate! Yay!

My morning work packets contain daily Math and Literacy printables that support the Common Core Standards. You can use these for morning work, assessment, independent work, or even for homework. There are a variety of printables for your students to keep them engaged. Many skills are covered on each page! Just click here or on the images below to check out the previews.  

     

Here are a few sample pages:

I do use both packets with my first grade students so I can reach all learners!  If you want the bundle click here and check it out. You can get both packets (100 + pages) for $12! Plus I'm hoping to save you a lot of time!  

Since Fall is pretty much here, I wanted to share with you a few more ideas. I created this Fall Math packet to give my students more practice on certain math concepts. While Everyday Math is a good program, I feel like some concepts just aren't presented as often as they should be.  So I'm always looking for supplemental activities.  My hope for this packet is for extra practice!  Some skills covered include: counting to 100, addition/subtraction, word problems, counting money, tally marks, telling time, plus more! I like to use these as morning work, homework, or even as a quick assessment. 

If you click here or on the image below, you can grab a few math freebies from this packet.  

Okay... a little more because I love observing apples and pumpkins in my classroom! My students always love anything to do with science.   My favorite part of the apple booklet is when they have to guess whether or not apples float.  You would think after about 8 trials with each apple, they would predict that no matter the size...apples float!! But NO, we must test all 20 apples, just in case...I love it! I also love how they all cheer when the largest apple floats! Ohh...it's the little things!  That's why I love first grade and those adorable little faces! Seriously, too cute!! 
Here are a few examples, sorry they aren't so clear! A new camera is on the list of things to buy!  

So here are my booklets! I recently updated them so if you are interested check them out! It's always fun for the kids!

Well that was a lot!! But if you keep scrolling a little more, I would love for you to enter my giveaway! I am super excited that I have over 200 TpT followers now!! I know it doesn't seem like a lot but I'm so grateful!  I truly appreciate the support. It means so much to me!  Please enter below for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to TpT! Thanks for stopping by! a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Day of School Freebies!

Can you believe it's already August?!! The summers do fly by, and like they say the older you get the faster the time goes by. Boy, were they right! I wish time would just slow down!  I still feel like I'm 25 not umm 30 something...!

Anyways, time for a freebie!! School is right around the corner.  To help you get started I made Welcome Mats for K-2.  I always like having something out for my students when they arrive on the first day.  So I put out these mats along with a new pencil, bookmark, and stickers. The kids always love it!   

I'm also including a summer writing page in this freebie so you can learn about what your students did over the summer, plus it's a great way to see what your students can do.

And there is one more....wait for it.....

A dice roll game!  Just pair students up and give them a set of dice.  Partners take turns rolling the dice and coloring in the sum. The person that colors in the most ice cream cones wins! The kids love it! 

Just click here or on the image below to grab a copy of these freebies. If you do, I would love for you to leave feedback! It's greatly appreciated! I hope you enjoy!

Let's Count Money!

I'm always looking for a fun and engaging way for students to practice counting money, so I wanted to come up with a new activity.  Everyone likes money and everyone likes to eat- right?!! So the Tortoise and Hare Cafe was born!  I created a menu with simple prices for my students.  To begin this activity I gave each student a cup of money ranging from $1.10 to $1.30.  I wanted the students to have different amounts so they all didn't come up with the same answers or bought the same items! In each student's cup I included pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.  If your students aren't quite ready for quarters then just leave them out.  

Once I gave the cups to the students, I welcomed them to the Tortoise and Hare Cafe and handed out their pages. Students took out their money and sorted by value.  I then had them record it on their page.  After we looked over the menu together, pointed out some prices, students then chose their items. Some decided to try and use all their money and others did not.  I pretended I was the waiter so everyone had to pay me! 

Overall, my students loved this activity!!!  They had so much fun, and most everyone said they enjoyed their visit to the Tortoise and Hare Cafe! 
Please click on the image below to grab a copy.

Here are a few samples below:

Markdown Monday

Markdown Monday on a Tuesday for me! I'll take it! Seriously in the summer I lose track of the days, I have to stop and check my phone and see what day it is and the date!!! I think it's because my summer is always so busy and goes by way too fast! Which I'm sure you all feel the same way! How is it the middle of July already?!! 

Dear Summer, 

Please slow down, I want you to stay!! 

A little less humidity would be great!

Sincerely,

Me

Hahah anyways! I was so excited to come across this linky party from Kelly and Kim's Kindergarten Kreations.  I just love their idea of Mark Down Monday! I can't wait to check out everyone's stores! 

I have submitted my newest product...Month-by-Month Writing Prompts.  It will be on sale for $7.00 until Friday!  It takes you through the year with 4-5 prompts for each month plus more!  

These prompts are great for independent writing, morning work, or even as homework!

Here is what is included:

August/September: 
Summertime Memories
My First Day
Back to School
My New Classroom
Apple Picking with Johnny Appleseed

October:
All About Me
Pumpkin Picking
Columbus Day
Halloween
Fall Fun

November:
I am Thankful
Veterans Day
The Perfect Plate
Thanksgiving Day

December:
Happy Holidays
Building a Snowman
Hibernation in the Winter
Winter Weather

January:
Cheers to a New Year
Snow Day
Martin Luther King Jr.
Winter Vacation
Arctic Animals

February:
Hooray for the 100th Day
Groundhog Day
Valentine’s Day
If I Were President

March:
Rainy Day
Let’s Celebrate Dr. Seuss
Spring is in the Air
St. Patrick’s Day Fun

April:
Design Your Own Kite
Earth Day
Create Your Own Insects
Growing a Garden

May/June:
Teacher Appreciation
Field Trip Fun
What a Great Year
Design Your Own Flag

July
The Fourth of July
Sweet Summertime
Create Your Own Ice Cream Sundae
Design Your Own Treehouse

Anytime of Year:
I Love Recess
My Favorite Book
The Pet That I want
Invent Your Own Cereal
Favorite Season

Acrostic Poems:
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn

Have a great day!!! Happy Tuesday!